I have asked roughly 60 Ebayers selling 1970-1976 Worksop/Carlton bikes on ebay to tell me their bikes' serial number (including ones painted as Raleigh-USA, Raleigh-UK, and Carlton-UK.) I have never, and I mean NEVER, gotten a response that the serial number is "Wx3NNNNNN", on a 70's bike.
To the best of my knowledge, ALL 1973 Worksop/Carlton bikes have a serial number starting with "H" (and I refer to at least 15-20 bikes about which I've enquired), or "A" (including one of my own, a raleigh competition), period.
I believe NO 1973 Worksop/Carlton bikes have a serial number starting with "Wx3....". Does anyone have a counter-example?
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA